Autonomism

[Ander]

Can someone explain the basics of Autonomism to me? Is it basically a form of left communism and if so, what are the differences from other forms? Also, who are some prominent Autonomists and important works?

[JazzRemington]

Autonomism is basically the belief that the working class can overthrow the Capitalist order and establish a communist society without the aid of a vanguard, party, or unions. It is a type of left communism and is closely associated with council communism and many strans of anarchism.

A good wikipedia and google search should turn up a few people and works, but two I can think of right now would be Antonio Gramsci and Harry Cleaver's Reading Capital Politically.

[Leo]

I don't think autonomism is a type of left communism. It seems more like an umbrella term for libertarian / anti-Leninist Marxist currents where left communism is a specific historical tendency with specific positions although I would imagine that there would be some autonomists influenced by councilism.

[Ander]

When learning about the various left communism/anti-Leninist leanings I get easily confused because there are so many different branches and I find that there are very few, if any, differences.

Which other branch of left communism is Autonomism most related to? I have read somewhere that it is close to Luxemburgism but I'm not completely sure. I'd like some help on that.

But...perhaps Autonomism was only a term used to describe the communists at the time in Italy. France, and Germany? I suppose it is possible for certain branches of communism to apply exclusively to one situation or time period?

[JazzRemington]

Originally posted by Leo [email protected] 21, 2007 02:59 pm
I don't think autonomism is a type of left communism. It seems more like an umbrella term for libertarian / anti-Leninist Marxist currents where left communism is a specific historical tendency with specific positions although I would imagine that there would be some autonomists influenced by councilism.
Well, I was under the impression that Left Communism was an umbrella term for any relatively anti-authoritarian communist movement. As opposed to movements such as Stalinism, Leninism, Trotskyism, etc.

[More Fire for the People]

Not all left communists are anti-authoritarian. Hell Bordiga was more authoritarian and elitist than Stalin himself.

[Janus]

Autonomism (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?act=ST&f=36&t=65237)

[Ander]

Thanks Janus, the search function isn't working for me.

I've been trying to find some works by one of the main founders of Autonomism, Antonio Negri, and I haven't been very successful so far. If anyone has any information on him please tell me.

[Janus]

Antonio Negri (http://libcom.org/tags/antonio-negri)

[Ander]

Originally posted by [email protected] 23, 2007 03:06 pm
Antonio Negri (http://libcom.org/tags/antonio-negri)
Thank you once again Janus. :wub: